Crime and punishment: A look at the top crime stories from 2024

1. Case against accused UNM dentist dismissed (Jan. 28, 2024)

According to Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court documents, the case against a UNM Medical Group dentist working in Rio Rancho was dismissed by a judge but she will be required to attend a Pre-Prosecution Diversion Program because it is her first arrest. She was also placed on administrative leave by UNM Health and Health Sciences.

2. Cardana motions for settlement in murder case (March 12, 2024)

Henry Cardana, 86, of Rio Rancho, was charged and indicted for the murder of Juneanne Fannell at a residence at the corner of Western Hills Drive and Utah Meadow Road on April 5, 2023. Cardana, through his attorney, requested settlement facilitation claiming a trial would be filled with more problems and be difficult for the elderly, disabled man. The settlement would essentially be a plea agreement.

3. One in custody in possible homicide (March 23, 2024)

Rio Rancho Police Department has confirmed the death of one person and the arrest of another from an incident around 7 a.m. March 23. “Police are investigating a possible homicide on Acapulco Road. One adult is dead, and another is in custody,” Rio Rancho PIO Jaley Turpen said at the time.

4. Shooter in custody after overnight standoff (Dec. 18, 2024)

A suspect is in custody after shooting several hundred rounds of ammunition in a standoff with police in the Corrales Heights neighborhood near NM 528 and Sabana Grande overnight from Dec. 17-18.

Officers responding to reports of shots being fired around 11 p.m. Dec. 17 “could hear a barrage of fire” when they arrived, Capt. Jacquelynn Reedy of the Rio Rancho Police Department said the morning of the arrest. They were able to isolate the location, but the standoff continued for several hours overnight as several SWAT teams and crisis negotiators responded.

Around 5 a.m. Dec. 18, police confirmed the suspect Eric Brusstar was in custody after firing several hundred rounds, including at police helicopters.

5. RRPD investigates Northern Meadows murder/UPDATE: RR man charged with murder in Tuesday night shooting (Dec. 11, 2024)

Adam Kruse, 58, was arrested for first-degree murder in the 600 block of Clayton Meadows after an adult male was found dead with a gunshot wound to the chest Dec. 10.

6. Rio Rancho man arrested in murder of his wife (March 25, 2024)

John Vallejos, 45, of Rio Rancho, was arrested for the first-degree murder of his wife, Roberta Valdez, in March. When officers arrived at the residence, they found Vallejos sitting in his truck in the driveway and were able to detained him without incident. The gun was still in the truck but was not removed at that time.

7. Man stabbed to death Friday; suspect in custody (Aug. 19, 2024)

Rio Rancho Police confirmed Aug. 19 that a man had been stabbed to death Friday, Aug. 15. The suspect has been identified as Larry Padilla of Rio Rancho.

According to RRPD Capt. Jacquelynn Reedy, officers responded to a report of a stabbing in the 1700 block of Darlene Road, where they found Paul Cuevas of Rio Rancho stabbed in the chest. Cuevas was transported to an area hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Padilla was taken into custody and was charged with first-degree murder.

8. Albuquerque police ID man who killed himself after officers shoot at him (Feb. 4, 2024)

Police identified a man who shot himself after being fired upon by officers in February in Northwest Albuquerque just outside of Rio Rancho city limits.

Gilbert Gallegos, an Albuquerque Police Department spokesman, said an autopsy found Matthias Wynkoop, 40, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

9. Viral video set at RRHS graduation prompts police investigation (May 30, 2024)

A video of a woman grabbing a teen boy by the shirt or neck at Rio Rancho High School’s 2024 graduation ceremony on May 21 has gone viral on Rio Rancho social media pages. The Rio Rancho Police Department said they were aware of and investigating the situation.

10. Shelter in place enacted in Corrales as police look for murder suspect (Jan. 23, 2024)

Police continue to search for a murder suspect after a woman was found with gunshot wounds in Corrales Monday, Jan. 22. The search temporarily placed the village in shelter in place.

According to Corrales police, Charles Kauffmann, 55, of Albuquerque, is wanted for second-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and tampering with evidence. Kauffmann remains at large, prompting the shelter in place order. He was arrested the following week.